Catherine "Kitty" R. (Hagerman) Ritter

Catherine R. “Kitty” Ritter of Cayuga Street, Interlaken passed away peacefully at home on May 1, 2022 at the age of 96.

She was born in Greece, NY on February 28, 1926, a daughter of the late Stanley and Evelyn (Wallace) Hagerman. Her family moved to Interlaken while she was a girl and she remained in Interlaken the rest of her life. Kitty graduated from Interlaken High School in 1944 and following graduation attended the Traphaggen School of Design in NYC and RIT in Rochester. In 1947, while working at the former Sampson Navy Hospital, Kitty met and fell in love with Richard Ritter, then hospitalized due to an illness. The two married on June 22, 1947 at the Interlaken Reformed Church.

Throughout the next decade Kitty and Richard operated Hagerman Radio and Television in Interlaken.  Kitty was a Girl Scout Leader for years, serving as troop leader for many of the women who live in the area today. She was always interested in local history and was a member of the Interlaken Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, Red Hat Society, and Interlaken Reformed Church.  An avid antique buff, she could be found out and about at many antique shops and most auctions.

In later years she traveled with both her husband and sister, Dorothy, within the United States and abroad, her favorite being Ireland. She also had the opportunity to visit the Far East with Richard while on business.

Kitty is survived by her daughter, Cathie Vellake; two grandsons, Glenn Smith and Paul (Chelsea Hastings) Vellake; five great grandchildren, Damien Vellake, Mildred Kisloski, Cooper Smith, Duncan Stirlen, and Molly Stirlen; brother in law, Dennis Ritter; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Kitty was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Ritter in 2012; and sister Dorothy Barron in 2009.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 13, 2022 at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. Burial will be held privately for family.

The family asks those that would like to make a contribution in Kitty’s memory to kindly consider Interlaken Reformed Church, PO Box 335, Interlaken, NY 14847.

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